Traveling the Great Ocean Road in Australia

List of Top Travel Destinations around the World

The world is vast with countless amazing destinations to explore. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous mountain getaway, or a cultural experience you’ll never forget, there’s a perfect travel destination out there for everyone. Here are a few of the top travel destinations in the world, based on our own travels and research at Applied Worldwide Lifestyle!

San Pedro, Belize

This charming seaside town on Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and world-class diving and snorkeling. San Pedro is also a great place to try authentic Belizean cuisine and experience the local culture.Take a boat trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected area known for its diverse marine life. Snorkel or dive among the colorful coral reefs and spot sea turtles, dolphins, and rays.

Photo of the beach on Caye Caulker in Belize outside The Lazy Lizard with a bright red and orange sign reading "The Split." Belize is one of Applied Worldwide's top travel destinations

There are so many things to do in San Pedro, Belize and most of the activities revolve around the water and local reef which makes San Pedro on of our favorite top travel destinations. You will find the freshest fish and seafood at local restaurants and renting a guide boat to explore the reef is probably the most common daytime tourist activity. If you are with a group, you can probably go on a boat tour for around 50 USD per person. And this includes exploring the second largest barrier reef in the world! You can also take a ferry ride to a nearby island like Caye Caulker for a different atmosphere.

There is plenty to do on land as well. Renting golf carts to get around is common practice because there are few automobiles on the island. So, rent a golf cart from a local vendor and explore the island. You can drive your golf cart from San Pedro City to Secret Beach for a day of sun and cocktails or visit attractions like the Eco Iguana Corner Foundation to experience the large island iguanas.

Colorado, US

This western US state is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Rocky Mountains, which offer endless opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and skiing. Colorado is also home to a number of charming towns and villages, as well as the bustling city of Denver. You can hike to the top of a mountain for stunning views or visit a mountain town for a taste of local culture and cuisine. And of course one of the main Colorado attractions in Colorado is skiing or snowboarding in the winter.

One of our top travel destinations in Colorado is Gunnison. Gunnison, Colorado offers some of the best trout fishing in the Rocky Mountain Region! Whether you are taking your boat out on the Blue Mesa Reservoir or trying your hand at fly-fishing the Gold Medal Waters of the Gunnison River, there are Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Perch, and a few other types of trout like Brook Trout and Greenback Cutthroat Trout in the area’s waters. And, there are plenty of camping spots where you can enjoy your fishing getaway!

Holding fish that were caught while fishing in Gunnison, Colorado

If you would like to stay near town so you can explore shopping and restaurants in Gunnison, then we always suggest staying at Island Acres Resort Motel!! This place is clean, has great accommodations and is near the town, not to mention the property itself is a taste of Colorado history. For a small mountain town, Gunnison, Colorado has some really nice restaurants and food options. Options range from places like Gunnison Pizza Company that offer a laid back environment, to Garlic Mike’s that is more of an upscale environment.

Other Top Travel Destinations in Colorado

While we really love Gunnison and the surrounding area, here are a few other travel destinations that are worth a visit while you travel in Colorado.

  • Rifle Mountain Park, Rifle, Colorado: This campground located in a canyon is ideal for stargazing, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing!
  • Rabbit Ears Pass and Dumont Lake: Once again this is a camping location. You can camp in the national forest or at the lake campground. Fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are all popular activities in the area.
  • St. Mary’s Glacier: You can access St. Mary’s Glacier as a daytrip from Denver. Once you arrive you can hike the glacier for remarkable views.
  • Grand Junction, Colorado: There is a lot you can do if you are vacationing to Grand Junction and the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains. Nearby towns like Palisade and Fruita offer diverse experiences from the actual city of Grand Junction.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

This city in northern Thailand is known for its rich culture, delicious food, and beautiful temples. Chiang Mai is also a great base for exploring the surrounding mountains and jungles.

We enjoyed attending the local market and renting a scooter to explore the surrounding rural area. It was a little shocking to us how close the larger trucks would drive next to our little scooter on some of the major roads, so be careful. But other than that we had a nice lunch and plenty of picturesque scenery.

South Australia, Australia

This southern Australian state is known for its diverse landscapes, including beaches, deserts, and vineyards. South Australia is also home to a number of unique wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and penguins.

For us, we really enjoyed our travels on the Great Ocean Road. There are some really neat Airbnbs to rent along the way. We stayed in a tiny house in a beach town for one night. There is also easy access to incredible beaches and secluded National Parks. You have to drive on the opposite side of the road from what we are accustomed to, but that is just a minor inconvenience after the initial shock.

Photo of Luke looking out over the coast from the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.
Luke looking out over the coast off the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.

Alexandria, Egypt

This city on the Mediterranean coast is one of the oldest cities in the world and is home to a number of ancient ruins, including the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria. Alexandria is also a great place to experience Egyptian culture and cuisine, but the city itself has a different feel from other Egyptian cities like Cairo or Luxor. The city of Alexandria feels like it belongs on the Mediterranean Sea.

Alexandria is known for its cuisine with fresh fish being a specialty! And you will be able to eat your fresh fish meal while looking out at the sea. The sea breeze was refreshing after traveling for a few days visiting ruins in the desert!

It was also a fun experience visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library that is dedicated to preserving and promoting knowledge.

Final Thoughts on the Top Travel Destinations around the World

When choosing a travel destination, it’s important to consider your interests and budget. Once you’ve chosen a destination, be sure to do some research to learn more about the best time to visit, what to see and do, and where to stay. I like to have a handful of top travel destinations on my mind when I begin searching for a place to visit.

You just never know whether the timing is right to visit a particular place, so it is less of a letdown if you also have a few other ideas already on hand. You need to balance your budget and interests with the context of the location you are visiting. There could be weather problems, political uprisings, economic restrictions, and a variety of other conditions in a country that might make it unsuitable as your next destination.

No matter where you choose to travel, the most important thing is to have an open mind and be willing to try new things. With a little planning, you can create a travel experience that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Hopefully you can use our list of top travel destinations as a starting place for finding your next adventure.

Applied Worldwide Lifestyle

Applied Worldwide Lifestyle is a lifestyle blog run by sociologists, nomads, and sustainable living enthusiasts Luke Hanna and Stephanie Wilson. It is focused on travel, food, photography, social history, and sustainable living. Join us in crafting a lifestyle that feels worth living!